Courses

Integrating Site and Water

Zero+ Educational Initiative

The educational goals of the Zero+ Campus Design Project are to teach the integration of zero-emission design in campus architecture/landscape contexts and to evaluate the ecological, economic, and health benefits of zero+ design strategies at the University of Minnesota. During the past two years, we have developed a series of courses to explore the design, evaluative, and performance criteria and metrics for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy, and water across design scales. Using strategic areas of campus, we have focused on the interaction between the architecture, landscape, and the urban environment to evaluate strategic design intersections that optimize zero+ design performance. To support the central outreach mission of the University, an online website will be developed to disseminate the design guidelines, strategies, findings, and project outcomes. 

Course Models

A variety of course models have been used to investigate integrated architecture and landscape design solutions and interventions that can move the University towards zero emissions, zero-energy, zero water, zero runoff, and zero-waste goals, including the following courses (for more information see individual course profiles at left).  

• Zero+ Campus Design (7-week graduate design module; 4 credits); Spring 2011
• Video as an Ecological Design Tool (1-week graduate workshop; 1 credit); Spring 2011
• Integrating Architecture & Landscape (3-week studio/seminar; 3 credits); May term 2011
• Whole Building Systems (15-week seminar; 3 credits); Fall 2011
• Thermal and Luminous Design (7-week studio/seminar; 6 credits); offered every Spring semester
• Theory and Practice of Sustainable Design (15-week seminar; 3 credits); offered every Fall semester

Spring 2011

ARCH 5550: Zero+ Design Module:. Seven-week design studio exploring the interrelationships of energy, waste, water and carbon emissions with the stated goal of achieving net zero emissions, energy and water use or even becoming an exporter of resources to the surrounding community. Syllabus: Zero+ Design Module

ARCH 5110: Envisioning the Sustainable Campus: Video as an ecological design tool: A week spent envisioning the interrelationships of energy, waste, water and carbon emissions across the building and site scales on the University of Minnesota Campus. Syllabus: Video Catalyst

May-Term 2011

ARCH 5550/LA 5405 Integrating Architecture & Landscape: Modeling Zero Energy/Zero Impact: The course will explore integrated architecture and landscape design solutions and interventions that can move the University of Minnesota toward a zero emissions, zero energy, zero water, zero runoff, and zero waste campus through integrated and interdisciplinary approaches to design. Enrollment open to graduate students in the Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Engineering, and Planning, and undergraduate students with instructor permission.Syllabus: Integrating Architecture & Landscape & Poster

Fall 2011

ARCH 5550 Whole Building Analysis: This course will provide opportunities to learn about energy use and energy conservation measures employed in buildings; gain experience with methods for evaluating ecological performance of buildings including energy demand, thermal loads and the process for achieving optimal integrated design solutions. Taught in parallel with LA5405. Syllabus: Whole Building Analysis

2012-2013 ACADEMIC YEAR

To be announced.